Content sharing for mobile devices

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to content sharing for mobile devices. In aspects, images that are created using mobile devices may be automatically uploaded to one or more targets. In addition, images created on the one or more targets may be automatically downloaded to the mobile device based on one or more criteria. A service facilitates transfer of images in both directions and includes a pluggable architecture in which forwarders for new targets may be added.

BACKGROUND

In today's world, people use a variety of devices to take pictures andcreate other content. For example, a person may use a cell phone, adigital camera, a film-based camera, art programs, and the like tocreate content. At the same time, a person may wish to share and managecontent created from these various devices. Ways of sharing the contenthave been limited and difficult to use.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments thatsolve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such asthose described above. Rather, this background is only provided toillustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodimentsdescribed herein may be practiced.

SUMMARY

Briefly, aspects of the subject matter described herein relate tocontent sharing for mobile devices. In aspects, images that are createdusing mobile devices may be automatically uploaded to one or moretargets. In addition, images created on the one or more targets may beautomatically downloaded to the mobile device based on one or morecriteria. A service facilitates transfer of images in both directionsand includes a pluggable architecture in which forwarders for newtargets may be added.

This Summary is provided to briefly identify some aspects of the subjectmatter that is further described below in the Detailed Description. ThisSummary is not intended to identify key or essential features of theclaimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scopeof the claimed subject matter.

The phrase “subject matter described herein” refers to subject matterdescribed in the Detailed Description unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. The term “aspects” is to be read as “at least oneaspect.” Identifying aspects of the subject matter described in theDetailed Description is not intended to identify key or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter.

The aspects described above and other aspects of the subject matterdescribed herein are illustrated by way of example and not limited inthe accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing an exemplary general-purposecomputing environment into which aspects of the subject matter describedherein may be incorporated;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that represents an exemplary environment inwhich aspects of the subject matter described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram that represents an exemplary environment inwhich aspects of the subject matter described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram that represents an apparatus configured inaccordance with aspects of the subject matter described herein;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that includes exemplary components of a systemthat may implement the service 310 in accordance with aspects of thesubject matter described herein;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that generally represents exemplary actionsthat may occur when content is downloaded to a device in accordance withaspects of the subject matter described herein; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram that generally represents exemplary actionsthat may occur when content is uploaded from a mobile device inaccordance with aspects of the subject matter described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

As used herein, the term “includes” and its variants are to be read asopen-ended terms that mean “includes, but is not limited to.” The term“or” is to be read as “and/or” unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. The term “based on” is to be read as “based at least in parton.” The terms “one embodiment” and “an embodiment” are to be read as“at least one embodiment.” The term “another embodiment” is to be readas “at least one other embodiment.” Other definitions, explicit andimplicit, may be included below.

Exemplary Operating Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a suitable mobile device 100 on whichaspects of the subject matter described herein may be implemented. Themobile device 100 is only one example of a device and is not intended tosuggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality ofaspects of the subject matter described herein. Neither should themobile device 100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirementrelating to any one or combination of components illustrated in theexemplary mobile device 100.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary device for implementing aspectsof the subject matter described herein includes a mobile device 100. Insome embodiments, the mobile device 100 comprises a cell phone, ahandheld device that allows voice communications with others, some othervoice communications device, or the like. In some embodiments, a mobiledevice 100 may be equipped with a camera 161 for taking pictures,although in other embodiments, the mobile device 100 may not include thecamera 161. In other embodiments, the mobile device 100 comprises apersonal digital assistant (PDA), hand-held gaming device, other handheld device, printer, appliance including a set-top, media center, orother appliance, automobile-embedded or attached computing devices,other mobile devices, or the like. Some exemplary devices that mayimplement the mobile device 100 include the iPod Touch® and the iPhoneproduced by Apple Inc., BlackBerry® devices produced by Research inMotion, the Zune® produced by Microsoft Corporation, Nokia Symbiandevices produced by Nokia, other smart phones and cell phones producedby various manufacturers, and various other devices. The exemplarydevices above are not intended to be all-inclusive or exhaustive.Indeed, based on the teachings herein, those skilled in the art mayrecognize many other devices now existing or developed in the futurethat may be used without departing from the spirit or scope of aspectsof the subject matter described herein.

Components of the mobile device 100 may include a processing unit 105,system memory 110, and a bus 115 that couples various system componentsincluding the system memory 110 to the processing unit 105. The bus 115may include any of several types of bus structures including a memorybus, memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures, and the like. The bus 115 allows data tobe transmitted between various components of the mobile device 100.

The mobile device 100 may include a variety of computer-readable media.Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby the mobile device 100 and includes both volatile and nonvolatilemedia, and removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatileand nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM,ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can be accessed by the mobile device 100.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared, WiFi, WiMAX, other electromagnetic wirelessfrequencies used by various mobile devices and protocols, and otherwireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be includedwithin the scope of computer-readable media.

The system memory 110 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory and may include read only memory(ROM) and random access memory (RAM). On a mobile device such as a cellphone, operating system code 120 is sometimes included in ROM although,in other embodiments, this is not required. Similarly, applicationprograms 125 are often placed in RAM although again, in otherembodiments, application programs may be placed in ROM or in othercomputer-readable memory. The heap 130 provides memory for stateassociated with the operating system code 120 and the applicationprograms 125. For example, the operating system code 120 and applicationprograms 125 may store variables and data structures in the heap 130during their operations.

The mobile device 100 may also include other removable/non-removable,volatile/nonvolatile memory. By way of example, FIG. 1 illustrates aflash card 135, a hard disk drive 136, and a memory stick 137. The harddisk drive 136 may be miniaturized to fit in a memory slot, for example.The mobile device 100 may interface with these types of non-volatileremovable memory via a removable memory interface 131, or may beconnected via a universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394, one or more ofthe wired port(s) 140, or antenna(s) 165. In these embodiments, theremovable memory devices 135-137 may interface with the mobile devicevia the communications module(s) 132. In some embodiments, not all ofthese types of memory may be included on a single mobile device. Inother embodiments, one or more of these and other types of removablememory may be included on a single mobile device.

In some embodiments, the hard disk drive 136 may be connected in such away as to be more permanently attached to the mobile device 100. Forexample, the hard disk drive 136 may be connected to an interface suchas parallel advanced technology attachment (PATA), serial advancedtechnology attachment (SATA), or otherwise, which may be connected tothe bus 115. In such embodiments, removing the hard drive may involveremoving a cover of the mobile device 100 and removing screws or otherfasteners that connect the hard drive 136 to support structures withinthe mobile device 100.

The removable memory devices 135-137 and their associated computerstorage media, discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1, providestorage of computer-readable instructions, program modules, datastructures, and other data for the mobile device 100. For example, theremovable memory device 135-137 may store images taken by the mobiledevice 100, voice recordings, contact information, programs, data forthe programs, and so forth.

A user may enter commands and information into the mobile device 100through input devices such as a key pad 141 and the microphone 142. Insome embodiments, the display 143 may be touch-sensitive screen and mayallow a user to enter commands and information thereon. The key pad 141and display 143 may be connected to the processing unit 105 through auser input interface 150 that is coupled to the bus 115, but may also beconnected by other interface and bus structures, such as thecommunications module(s) 132 and wired port(s) 140.

A user may communicate with other users via speaking into the microphone142 and via text messages that are entered on the key pad 141 or a touchsensitive display 143, for example. The audio unit 155 may provideelectrical signals to drive the speaker 144 as well as receive anddigitize audio signals received from the microphone 142.

The mobile device 100 may include a video unit 160 that provides signalsto drive a camera 161. The video unit 160 may also receive imagesobtained by the camera 161 and provide these images to the processingunit 105 and/or memory included on the mobile device 100. The imagesobtained by the camera 161 may comprise video, one or more images thatdo not form a video, or some combination thereof.

The communications module(s) 132 may provide signals to and receivesignals from one or more antenna(s) 165. One of the antenna(s) 165 maytransmit and receive messages for a cell phone network. Another antennamay transmit and receive Bluetooth® messages. Yet another antenna maytransmit and receive network messages via a wireless Ethernet networkstandard.

In some embodiments, a single antenna may be used to transmit and/orreceive messages for more than one type of network. For example, asingle antenna may transmit and receive voice and packet messages.

When operated in a networked environment, the mobile device 100 mayconnect to one or more remote devices. The remote devices may include apersonal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a cell phone, apeer device or other common network node that may include many or all ofthe elements described above relative to the mobile device 100.

Aspects of the subject matter described herein are operational withnumerous other general purpose or special purpose computing systemenvironments or configurations. Examples of well known computingsystems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable foruse with aspects of the subject matter described herein include, but arenot limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held orlaptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microcontroller-based systems,set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environmentsthat include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Aspects of the subject matter described herein may be described in thegeneral context of computer-executable instructions, such as programmodules, being executed by a mobile device. Generally, program modulesinclude routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and soforth, which perform particular tasks or implement particular abstractdata types. Aspects of the subject matter described herein may also bepracticed in distributed computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote computer storage mediaincluding memory storage devices.

Furthermore, although the term server is sometimes used herein, it willbe recognized that this term may also encompass a client, a set of oneor more processes distributed on one or more computers, one or morestand-alone storage devices, a set of one or more processes on one ormore mobile devices, a set of one or more other devices, a combinationof one or more of the above, and the like.

Although the terms “mobile device” and “server” are sometimes usedherein, it is to be understood, that a mobile device may be implementedon a machine that has hardware and/or software that is typicallyassociated with a server and that likewise, a server may be implementedon a machine that has hardware and/or software that is typicallyassociated with a desktop, personal, or mobile device. Furthermore, amobile device may at times act as a server and vice versa. In anembodiment, a mobile device and a server may, at various times, both bepeers, servers, or clients. In one embodiment, mobile device and servermay be implemented on the same physical machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that represents an exemplary environment inwhich aspects of the subject matter described herein may be implemented.The environment includes server(s) 205, computer(s) 206, computer 210,and mobile devices 215-218 (hereinafter sometimes collectively referredto as the entities) and may include other components (not shown).Sometimes a server, computer, or mobile device is referred to as anentity, and two or more of the servers, computers, or mobile devices maybe referred to as entities. The entities may communicate with each othervia various networks including intra- and inter-office networks,telephone lines, the network 220, wireless networks 221 and 222, otherwireless and wired networks, and the like. In one embodiment, thenetwork 220 may comprise the Internet.

A wireless network (e.g., each of the wireless networks 235 and 236) maycomprise one or more components that are capable of communicating withmobile devices wirelessly. The wireless networks 221 and 222 may beconnected to or incorporated in the gateways 233 and 234, respectively.A gateway may function as a conduit to allow communications to and fromthe mobile devices 215 and 216 to entities connected to the network 220.A wireless network may function according to one or more variousprotocols including a cellular protocol, Bluetooth® (also known as IEEE802.15), those defined by IEEE 802.11, and other wireless networkprotocols, for example. In cellular network implementations, thegateways 233-234 may be implemented as part of or separate from mobiletelephone switching offices that may control the operation of a cellularsub-system.

A mobile device (e.g., the mobile device 217) may connect to one or moreother entities via the computer 210. The mobile device 217 may beconnected to the computer via a wired (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB),IEEE 1394 (also known as “FireWire”), or some other wired protocol) orwireless (e.g., Bluetooth, radio, or some other wireless protocol)connection. In some embodiments, the mobile device 217 may accesscontent from the computer 210 and may only connect to the computer 210and not to the other entities illustrated in FIG. 2 to access thecontent. Access as used herein may include reading data, writing data,deleting data, updating data, a combination including one or more of theabove, and the like.

A mobile device (e.g., the mobile device 218) may be able to connectdirectly to the network 220. For example, the mobile device 218 may havea port that allows an Ethernet cable to connect to the mobile device218. The mobile device 218 may use the Ethernet cable to connect to arouter, switch, or the like that is part of the network 220. As anotherexample, the mobile device 218 may have an antenna that allows themobile device 218 to connect to a wireless router that is part of thenetwork 220.

Wherever the term “mobile device” is used herein, in one embodiment,this term means a device that is designed to be held in one or two handswhile interacting with the device. Such devices include cell phones,PDAs, hand held gaming devices, and the like. In other embodiments, thisterm means a computing device that is designed to generally not be heldin human hands while being used. Such devices include personalcomputers, lap top computers, notebook computers, automobile-embedded orattached computing devices, other mobile devices, computing appliances,printers, and the like. In one embodiment, the mobile devices 215-218may be implemented as described in conjunction with the mobile device100 of FIG. 1.

Each of the server(s) 205, the computer(s) 206, and the computer 210 maybe implemented on one or more computers, and there is no intention tolimit the types of computers to those thought particularly as servercomputers or client computers. Indeed a computer that acts as a homecomputer may at times act as a server computer and vice versa.Furthermore, in an embodiment, a server may indeed be another mobiledevice and may share content with a requesting mobile device in apeer-to-peer manner.

The server(s) 205, computer(s) 206, computer 210, and the mobile devices215-218 may include content sharing components 226-231, respectively.The content sharing components 226-231 may comprise components thatallow the entities to access or provide content. On the mobile device215, for example, the content sharing components 228 may comprise, forexample, a component that allows a user to configure content upload anddownload settings, a component that allows the mobile device 215 toupload pictures to a server, a component that allows the mobile device215 to download pictures, and the like.

The content sharing components 228 may also comprise interfacecomponents that allow the application to obtain updated content from thecomputer 210, server(s) 205, or computer(s) 206. The content sharingcomponents 225-226 may include a web server, portal, application server,database, FTP site, other content providing software, related software,or the like. The content sharing components 227 of the computer 210 mayinclude components that provide content to the mobile device 217 as wellas components that access content from the server(s) 205 or computer(s)206.

As used herein, the term component is to be read to include all or aportion of a device, a collection of one or more software modules orportions thereof, some combination of one or more software modules orportions thereof and one or more devices or portions thereof, and thelike.

The term “process” and its variants as used herein may include one ormore traditional processes, threads, libraries, objects that performtasks, and the like. A process may be implemented in hardware, software,or a combination of hardware and software. In an embodiment, a processis any mechanism, however called, capable of or used in performing anaction. A process may be distributed over multiple devices or a singledevice.

Although the environment described above includes various numbers ofeach of the entities and related infrastructure, it will be recognizedthat more, fewer, or a different combination of these entities andothers may be employed without departing from the spirit or scope ofaspects of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, theentities and communication networks included in the environment may beconfigured in a variety of ways as will be understood by those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit or scope of aspects of thesubject matter described herein.

Content Sharing

As mentioned previously, ways of sharing content have been limited anddifficult to use. FIG. 3 is a block diagram that represents an exemplaryenvironment in which aspects of the subject matter described herein maybe implemented. The environment includes source device 305,forwarding/transformation service 310, and target(s) 315.

The source device 305 includes any device that seeks to send content toanother device. Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the sourcedevice 305 may comprise one of the mobile devices 215-218. In otherembodiments, the source device 305 may comprise one of the otherentities of FIG. 2.

For example, when the user is creating content using a mobile device,the source device 305 may comprise a cell phone, laptop, or other mobiledevice mentioned previously.

A mobile device, however, may also be the target for content from othersources. For example, the source may include an online service such asWindows Live Service, a social networking service such as FaceBook,MySpace, LinkedIn, or other social networking service, an image hostingservice of images that may include video, a photo sharing service,service(s) hosted on one or more home or other computer(s), any otherservice that may include images, or the like.

For example, a user may have an account with one or more onlineservices. The user and/or others may store images on these accounts.When new images are added to any of the online accounts, a user maydesire (and indicate during configuration, for example) to have theimages sent to the user's mobile device or another target. When anonline service receives new images, a server hosting these images mayact as the source device 305 and transfer the images to the user'smobile device.

As another example, a user may have one or more computers at home orwork. These computers may host images created by family, friends,coworkers, or others. When a new image is created or placed on one ofthese computers, a component on the computer may attempt to inform theuser's mobile device or another target of the new content. Depending onthe user's preferences, the new image may then be transferred to one ormore targets (e.g., a mobile device, other home or work computers, otheronline services, or the like).

The source device 305 may be implemented such that it has componentssimilar to that shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram thatrepresents an apparatus configured in accordance with aspects of thesubject matter described herein. The components illustrated in FIG. 4are exemplary and are not meant to be all-inclusive of components thatmay be needed or included. In other embodiments, the components and/orfunctions described in conjunction with FIG. 4 may be included in othercomponents (shown or not shown) or placed in subcomponents withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of aspects of the subject matterdescribed herein. In some embodiments, the components and/or functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 4 may be distributed across multipledevices.

Turning to FIG. 4, the apparatus 405 may include content sharingcomponents 410, a store 445, a communications mechanism 450, and othercomponents (not shown). The content sharing components 410 may include aconfiguration manager 415, a monitor 420, an upload manager 425, adownload manager 430, an error manager 435, a user interface 440, andother components (not shown).

The apparatus 405 may correspond to any of the mobile devices 215-218,the sever(s) 205, computer(s) 206, computer 210 of FIG. 2 and may beimplemented on or using the same or similar device(s) upon which one ofthose entities may be implemented. For example, the apparatus 405 may beimplemented on or as a mobile device (e.g., as the computer 100 of FIG.1).

The communications mechanism 450 allows the apparatus 405 to communicatewith other entities. For example, the communications mechanism 450 mayallow the apparatus 405 to communicate with entities illustrated in FIG.2. The communications mechanism 450 may be a communication module(s)132, antenna(s) 165, or any other mechanism for establishingcommunications as described in conjunction with FIG. 1.

The store 445 is any storage media capable of providing access to data.The store may include volatile memory (e.g., a cache) and non-volatilememory (e.g., a persistent storage). The term data is to be read broadlyto include anything that may be represented by one or more computerstorage elements. Logically, data may be represented as a series of 1'sand 0's in volatile or non-volatile memory. In devices that have anon-binary storage medium, data may be represented according to thecapabilities of the storage medium. Data may be organized into differenttypes of data structures including simple data types such as numbers,letters, and the like, hierarchical, linked, or other related datatypes, data structures that include multiple other data structures orsimple data types, and the like. Some examples of data includeinformation, program code, program state, program data, other data, andthe like.

The store 445 may comprise hard disk storage, other non-volatilestorage, volatile memory such as RAM, other storage, some combination ofthe above, and the like and may be distributed across multiple devices.The store 445 may be external, internal, or include components that areboth internal and external to the apparatus 405.

The configuration manager 415 allows a user of the apparatus 405 toindicate user preferences for content sharing for the apparatus 405. Forexample, a user may indicate whether content is to be automaticallyuploaded to a forwarding/transformation service (e.g., such as theforwarding/transformation service 310 of FIG. 3). For example, with acamera-equipped cell phone or other mobile device, a user may desire tohave pictures automatically uploaded to the service for forwarding tovarious destination targets. A user may also indicate one or moretarget(s) to which new content is to be sent when available. Theconfiguration manager 415 may interact with the user interface 440 toobtain the user preferences.

As another example, a user may indicate preferences for receivingcontent. For example, a user may desire to have content from specifiedsources downloaded to a mobile device based on one or more criteria. Forexample, the user may want to have images from specified sources createdwithin a specified time period (e.g., the last day, few days, week, fewweeks, or other time period) downloaded to the mobile device.

As another example, a user may want to have images related to certainsubject matter downloaded to the mobile device. For example, a user maywant to have images that are related to a hobby, current news, area ofinterest, work-related topic, and the like. To obtain such images, theuser may provide key words, select from pre-defined categories, or thelike.

A user may specify when downloaded content may be automatically deletedaccording to a policy. For example, a user may specify a timeout period,may indicate a desired size (e.g., storage size) used to store contentand indicate a first-in-first-deleted preference where older content isdeleted before newer content, may permanently pin certain content inmemory while allowing other content to be deleted, may indicate thatcontent created on the device be maintained according to one preferencewhile content downloaded from other devices be deleted according tospecified rules, may specify other rules for deleting content, and thelike.

In conjunction with obtaining or modifying the user preferences, theconfiguration manager 415 may access the preferences in the store 445.In one embodiment, the store 445 may include a registry or otherdatabase that provides access to the preferences.

The monitor 420 is a component that determines whether new content isavailable to upload to the service. The monitor 420 may register toreceive notification of new content with an operating system,application, or other component of the apparatus 405. When new contentis available (e.g., a user takes a picture), the monitor 420 may beinformed of this event. Alternatively, the monitor may periodicallycheck in a storage location or with the operating system, application,or other component to determine whether new content is available.

When the monitor 420 determines that new content is available foruploading to the service, the monitor 420 may store an identifier of thenew content on the store 445. One suitable identifier comprises a pathof a file that includes the new content although other identifiers mayalso be used without departing from the spirit or scope of aspects ofthe subject matter described herein.

In conjunction with storing the identifier on the store 445, the monitor420 may also store one or more destinations to which to send the newcontent. In one embodiment, the monitor 420 may store a separate recordfor each destination to which the new content is to be sent. Each recordmay include an identifier of the new content together with a destinationto which to send the new content. The monitor 420 may retrievedestinations to which the new content is to be sent by accessing theuser preferences previously stored on the store 445.

The monitor 420 may store additional information in a record dependingon the intended destination of an image. For example, when sending animage to an online service, the monitor may store a URL in the record.The URL may indicate a location on the destination at which the image isto be uploaded.

As some other examples, the monitor 420 may store a date of the imagesuch as the date the image was created, a caption associated with theimage, a description associated with the image, a size of the image, alocation (e.g., GPS coordinates) at which the images was created, otherdata about the image, and the like depending on the intended destinationfor the image. Some destinations, for example, may use or display thisadditional information.

In conjunction with storing a new record pertaining to new content thatis available for uploading, the monitor 420 may then determine if theupload manager 425 is executing. If the upload manager 425 is sleeping,the monitor 420 may wake the upload manger 425. If the upload manager425 is already executing, the monitor 420 may wait for or process thenext image after storing the new record.

When executing, the upload manager 425 may check the store 445 todetermine if any content needs to be uploaded to the service. If thereis no content that needs to be uploaded, the upload manager 425 mayenter a sleep state. If there is content that needs to be uploaded, theupload manager 425 may attempt to upload the content to the service.

To determine whether there is content that needs to be uploaded, theupload manager 425 may access a database, queue, or other data structurestored on the store 445. This database, queue, or other data structureis sometimes referred to as a data source. If the data source is emptyor includes only already-sent content, the upload manager 425 maydetermine that there is no new content. If the data source is not emptyand includes items that need to be uploaded, the upload manager 425 mayobtain a record and attempt to upload the content associated with therecord to the service.

Before uploading the content, the upload manager 425 may package thecontent such that it is in an acceptable form for the service. In oneembodiment, the upload manager 425 may also put a destination identifierin the package to upload to the service. In this embodiment, the uploadmanager 425 may upload a different package for each intendeddestination.

In another embodiment, if there is more than one destination to whichthe content is to be delivered, the upload manager 425 may placemultiple destination identifiers in the package to upload to theservice. In this embodiment, the upload manager 425 may upload a singlepackage that is to be sent to multiple destinations.

The upload manager 425 may also encode one or more type identifiers inan outgoing package. A type identifier may identify a service associatedwith a destination device. For example, a type identifier may indicatewhether the uploaded package is to be delivered to an online service ora home computer. In some embodiments, a type identifier and destinationidentifier may be merged.

In addition, the upload manager 425 may also tag an outgoing packagewith one or more attributes. The tags may be used in certain situationsand ignored in other situations.

The download manager 430 may obtain content from sources outside of theapparatus 405. These sources are sometimes referred to as “imagesources.” The download manager 430 may use push or pull techniques todetermine that the content is available and/or to obtain the content. Ina push technique, an external service may inform the download manager430 that new content (e.g., a picture) is available and may then sendthe new content to the download manager 430. In a pull technique, thedownload manager 430 may periodically poll the service to query whetherany new content is available for downloading to the apparatus 405. Whennew content is available for downloading to the apparatus 405, thedownload manager 405 may download the new content and place it in thestore 445.

The download manager 430 may also follow user preferences in obtainingcontent. For example, the download manager 430 may obtain images createdduring a specified time period and may reject or not download imagescreated outside the time period. The download manager 430 may stream thecontent onto the apparatus 405 in groups of images. In conjunction withor after a user has viewed one group of images, the download manager 430may begin downloading another group of images and, if needed, may deletepreviously downloaded images to free memory for the new group of images.For example, the download manager 430 may use a prediction algorithm todetermine when to start downloading the next group.

One exemplary prediction algorithm may indicate that the next group ofimages is to be downloaded when a user has viewed 50% of the currentgroup. Another exemplary prediction algorithm may indicate that the nextgroup of images is to be downloaded when a user has viewed the N^(th)image from the end of the current group, where N is configurable orfixed. The examples of prediction algorithms above are not intended tobe all-inclusive or exhaustive. Indeed, based on the teachings herein,those skilled in the art may recognize many other prediction algorithmsthat may be used without departing from the spirit or scope of aspectsof the subject matter described herein.

The error manager 435 may be responsible for translating errors inuploading or downloading into a form suitable for presenting to a user.Errors may occur at any of various points in attempting to upload ordownload an image. For example, an error (e.g., out of memory) may occuron the apparatus, an error (e.g., a network failure) may occur incommunicating with the service 310, an error may occur within theservice 310 or one of its associated components, or an error may occurin forwarding the message to its intended destination.

In dealing with possibly many different destinations, the apparatus 405may encounter many different types of errors that may be phrased intechnical or non-consistent ways. The error manager 435 may receive anidentifier of the error (e.g., some error code and possibly thedestination or component that generated the error), and/or textassociated with the error and may translate the identifier and/or textinto an error message understandable by a user of the apparatus 405.

Returning to FIG. 3, the forwarding/transformation service 310(hereinafter service 310) may comprise a set of one or more processes(sometimes referred to herein as a “service”) that are responsible forforwarding content to and/or transforming content to a suitable form forthe target(s) 315. These one or more processes may reside on one or morephysical and/or virtual machines. The service 310 receives uploadedpackages from the source device 305 and puts them in the appropriateform(s) for placing on the target(s) 315. In one embodiment, the service310 may reside on a consumer electronic device that exposes APIs thatthe source device 305 may call to forward content to the target(s) 315.In one embodiment, the service 310 and at least one of the target(s) 315may reside on the same device.

To determine an appropriate target, the service 310 may retrieve thedestination received in the uploaded content. The service 310 may have atable or other appropriate data structure that associates destinationswith targets.

The service 310 may impersonate the user when forwarding the content toa target. In impersonating the user, the service 310 may supplycredentials of the user to access a service of the target. In response,the service 310 may obtain a token (e.g., a long string) that theservice 310 may provide to the target subsequently to impersonate theuser. The service 310 may store the token on a store local to theservice 310. To initially obtain user credentials, a user may providesome credentials (e.g., user name and password) to the service 310 via auser interface. This user interface may reside on the source device 305,one or more of the target(s) 315, on another device not illustrated inFIG. 3, or elsewhere.

The service 310 may have a pluggable architecture in which the service310 can be expanded to different targets by adding atranslation/forwarding component suitable for the target. If needed(e.g., based on load, bandwidth, or for other reasons), each pluggablecomponent may be installed on a separate server. A pluggable componentmay be responsible for translating content from an uploaded form to aform appropriate for the destination.

Translating may include transforming the format of the image. Forexample, one destination may support images of a certain type (e.g.,JPG) while another destination may support images of another type (e.g.,GIF). Translating may also include changing the size or resolution of animage, changing bit rate, other transcoding, and the like. For example,when a target is a device connected via a low bandwidth or relativelyexpensive network, a high resolution image may be translated into alower resolution image or cropped to conserve bandwidth.

In addition, the pluggable component may be responsible forcommunicating with a service of the target. Services of different typesof targets (e.g., online, mobile, home computer, and the like) may vary.

It is possible that the source device 305 will support a destinationthat the service 310 does not support. For example, the service 310 maybe an earlier version that does not recognize newer destinationssupported by the source device 305. In this case, the source device 305may first determine what destinations are supported by the service 310before attempting to upload content to the service 310.

To determine what pluggable component to use, the service 310 may readthe type identifier(s), tags, and/or destination address included in apackage uploaded from the source device 305 to the service 310. Theservice 310 may have a table or other data structure that associates thetype identifier(s), tags, and/or destination address with a particularpluggable component. Furthermore, the pluggable component may makeadditional decisions based on the type identifier(s), tags, and/ordestination address.

Messages sent between the source device 305 and the service 310 and theservice 310 and the target(s) 315 may be encrypted using any suitableencryption algorithm.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that includes exemplary components of a systemthat may implement the service 310 in accordance with aspects of thesubject matter described herein. The system 505 may implement theservice 310 of FIG. 10. The system 505 includes a mobile communicator510, a collector 515, a director 520, forwarders 525-527, and may alsoinclude other components (not shown). The mobile communicator 510,collector 515, director 520, and forwarders 525-527 are sometimesreferred to herein as components of the system 505 or simply components.

The components of the system 505 may be hosted on one or more devices.Each component may be hosted on a separate device or two or more of thecomponents may be hosted on individual devices. Whether more than onedevice is used to host the components may be determined based on load,bandwidth, or for other reasons as mentioned previously.

If on separate devices, the components of the system 505 may communicatewith each other via one or more networks including intra- andinter-office networks, telephone lines, the network 220, wirelessnetworks 221 and 222, other wireless and wired networks, and the like.

If on the same device, components of the system 505 may communicate viaintra-process, inter-process, network, or other communication mechanism.

The mobile communicator 510 is operable to receive upload packages frommobile devices. These upload packages include images from the mobiledevices. Each upload package indicates a destination to which an imageof the upload package is to be delivered as previously described.

The mobile communicator 510 may be further operable to provide downloadpackages that include images from designated destinations to the mobiledevices. As described previously, a user may configure download settingsto allow a mobile device to obtain content from source external to themobile device (e.g., such as the destinations to which the mobile devicesends images).

The collector 515 may be operable to determine whether a new image isavailable from a destination device. The collector 515 may do this byusing a forwarder to poll the destination device or may receive amessage from a destination device when a new image is available from thedestination device. When an image is available, the collector mayfurther operate to instruct a forwarder to obtain the new image. Thecollector may then provide the image to the mobile communicator 510 sothat the mobile communicator 510 may provide the image to a mobiledevice.

The director 520 is operable to determine a forwarder to transmit amessage to a target associated with a destination. After determining theappropriate forwarder, the director 520 may provide an upload package ordata derived therefrom to the forwarder for transmitting an image andassociated data to the target.

The forwarders 525-527 may be operable to transmit images to and fromtarget devices. The forwarders 525-527 may use different protocols totransmit these images. For example, a forwarder may use a protocoltailored for communicating with an online service when transmitting animage to a device associated with the online service. This protocol mayinvolve impersonating a user by providing a token, sending data andreceiving data according to specified patterns appropriate for theonline service, and so forth.

When a forwarder communicates with a home computer, the forwarder mayuse a different protocol tailored for communicating with a servicehosted on the home computer. This protocol may specify how and when datais to be transferred between the forwarder and the computer.

The protocol to obtain an image from a destination may be different fromthe protocol to provide an image to the destination. In other words, adifferent set of actions may occur in obtaining an image from adestination than when sending an image to the destination.

A forwarder may create a new package when sending a message to adestination. The new package may be derived from an uploaded package andmay be formatted in a manner appropriate for the destination.

The director 520 may be further operable to allow new forwarders to be“plugged in” to the system 505. To plug a new forwarder into the system,a software developer or the like may install the forwarder and informthe director 520 of the availability of the new forwarder. The softwaredeveloper may also indicate destinations or types of services that areassociated with the new forwarder. For example, if a new socialnetworking site becomes available, a developer may develop a forwarderthat is capable of uploading images to and downloading images from thenew social networking site. The developer may then plug this forwarderinto the system 505 and notify the director 520 of the new forwarder.

Returning to FIG. 3, the target(s) 315 may host an online service suchas Windows Live Services, a social networking service such as FaceBook,MySpace, LinkedIn, or other social networking service, an image hostingservice that allows uploading of images including video, a photo sharingservice, service(s) hosted on home, mobile device, or other computer(s),or any other service that allows content to be uploaded. The examples ofservices above are not intended to be all-inclusive or exhaustive.Indeed, based on the teachings herein, those skilled in the art mayrecognize many other services that the target(s) 315 may host imageswithout departing from the spirit or scope of aspects of the subjectmatter described herein.

Although the environment described above in conjunction with FIG. 3includes various numbers of each of the entities and relatedinfrastructure, it will be recognized that more, fewer, or a differentcombination of these entities and others may be employed withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of aspects of the subject matterdescribed herein. Furthermore, the entities and communication networksincluded in the environment may be configured in a variety of ways aswill be understood by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit or scope of aspects of the subject matter described herein.

FIGS. 6-7 are flow diagrams that generally represent actions that mayoccur in accordance with aspects of the subject matter described herein.For simplicity of explanation, the methodology described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 6-7 is depicted and described as a series of acts. It is tobe understood and appreciated that aspects of the subject matterdescribed herein are not limited by the acts illustrated and/or by theorder of acts. In one embodiment, the acts occur in an order asdescribed below. In other embodiments, however, the acts may occur inparallel, in another order, and/or with other acts not presented anddescribed herein. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may be requiredto implement the methodology in accordance with aspects of the subjectmatter described herein. In addition, those skilled in the art willunderstand and appreciate that the methodology could alternatively berepresented as a series of interrelated states via a state diagram or asevents.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that generally represents exemplary actionsthat may occur when content is downloaded to a device in accordance withaspects of the subject matter described herein. At block 605, theactions begin.

At block 610, configuration data is received. The configuration dataindicates a plurality of external image sources from which to obtainimages for a mobile device. At least two of the image sources havedifferent communication protocols for providing images. The mobiledevice is configured to send new images created using the mobile deviceto at least one of the image sources

For example, referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the configuration manager 415may receive configuration input via the user interface 440. The inputmay indicate that an online service associated with the server(s) 205and one or more of the computer(s) 206 are to act as image sources tothe mobile device 215. The online service may also be configured to be adestination for new images created using the mobile device 215.

At block 615 information regarding the image sources is transmitted to aservice that is responsible for obtaining the images from the imagesources and providing access to the obtained images to the mobiledevice. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the source device 305 mayindicate which target(s) 315 are to also act as image source to thesource device 305. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the mobile device215 may inform a service to include one or more of the computer(s) 206as images sources to the mobile device 215.

At block 620, an indication that a new image from one of the imagesources is available is received. This indication may be received byquerying the service as to whether any new images are available,receiving a message from the service that a new image is available, orsome similar technique. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the downloadmanager 430 may receive a message that a new image is available.

At block 625, a determination is made as to whether the new imagesatisfies one or more criteria for downloading the image. Referring toFIG. 4, the download manger 430 may determine whether the new imagesatisfies one or more criteria. For example, if the new image wascreated within the last day, this may satisfy a time period criterion.If the image relates to a specified subject matter as indicated by acaption or text associated with the image, this may satisfy a subjectmatter criterion.

If the new image satisfies the one or more criteria, the actionscontinue at block 630; otherwise, the actions continue at block 635.

At block 630, the new image is downloaded to the mobile device. Forexample, referring to FIG. 2, the content sharing components 228 of themobile device 215 may download a new image from a home computer (e.g.,the computer(s) 206) to the mobile device 215.

As mentioned previously, the new image may be downloaded in a streamthat includes the new image and other images. The timing for commencingreceiving the stream may be based on receiving input indicative ofviewing images in a previously downloaded group of images. For example,when a user begins viewing previously-downloaded images, this maytrigger obtaining another group of images.

At block 635, a download does not occur. For example, referring to FIG.2, the content sharing components 228 refrain from downloading the newimage.

At block 640, other actions, if any, are performed. For example, imageson the mobile device may be deleted according to policies as describedpreviously.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram that generally represents exemplary actionsthat may occur when content is uploaded from a mobile device inaccordance with aspects of the subject matter described herein. At block705, the actions begin.

At block 710, user preferences are received and stored. As mentionedpreviously, the user preferences may indicate whether images are to beautomatically uploaded and may also indicate one or more externaldestinations to which the images are to be sent if uploaded. Inconjunction with receiving the user preferences, configuration data maybe updated to reflect the user preferences. This configuration data maybe stored on a store of the mobile device.

For example, referring to FIG. 4, the user interface 440 may allow auser to indicate user preferences. The configuration manager 415 may usethese user preferences to update configuration data and may then storethe configuration date on the store 445 for subsequent use.

At block 715, an indication is received indication of an image that hasbeen created using a mobile device. For example, referring to FIG. 4,the monitor 420 may determine that a user has taken a new picture usinga camera of the apparatus 405.

At block 720, a determination is made as to whether the new image is tobe uploaded to a service. This may involve obtaining configuration datathat indicates whether the image is to be automatically uploaded to theservice external. If the image is to be automatically uploaded to theservice, the configuration data may also indicate one or moredestinations to which the image is to be sent.

At block 725, a package that includes the image is created. The packageindicates a destination for the image. For example, referring to FIG. 4,the upload manager 425 may create a package that includes the image andindicates a destination for the image.

At block 730, based on the destination, a determination is made as towhether to add additional fields, if any, to the package. As mentionedpreviously, the additional fields may provide additional informationabout the image. For example, referring to FIG. 4, if the image is goingto be sent to an online service, the upload manager 425 may add locationor other information about the image to the package.

At block 735, the package is transmitted to the service. If a networkconnection is not available, the image or package may be stored on themobile device until a network becomes available. The service is thenresponsible for communicating with a target device of the destination toprovide the image to the target device. The service may be configured toimpersonate a user of the mobile device in communicating with the targetdevice of the destination.

At block 740, other actions, if any may be performed.

Blocks 745 and 750 indicate other actions that may be performed atvarious times in conjunction with the other actions indicated in FIG. 7.

At block 745, user credentials may be provided to the service so thatthe service may impersonate a user when the service communicates withthe target device of the destination. For example, a user name andpassword or other credentials may be supplied to the service.

At block 750, errors may be dealt with as described previously. Forexample, error handling may include:

1. Receiving an indication of an error in sending the image to thedestination. The indication may include for example, an error code thatoccurred in transmitting the image from the service to the destination;

2. Determining an error message to show on a display of the mobiledevice in response to receiving the indication of an error. Determiningthis error message to show may be performed as described previously; and

3. Displaying the error message on the display of the mobile device.

As can be seen from the foregoing detailed description, aspects havebeen described related to content sharing for mobile devices. Whileaspects of the subject matter described herein are susceptible tovarious modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustratedembodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been describedabove in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is nointention to limit aspects of the claimed subject matter to the specificforms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling withinthe spirit and scope of various aspects of the subject matter describedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method implemented at least in part by acomputer, the method comprising: receiving configuration data thatindicates a plurality of image sources from which to obtain images for amobile device, the image sources being external to the mobile device, atleast two of the image sources having different communication protocolsfor providing images, the mobile device configured to send new imagescreated using the mobile device to at least one of the image sources;transmitting information regarding the image sources to a service thatis responsible for obtaining the images from the image sources andproviding access to the obtained images to the mobile device; receivingan indication that a new image from one of the image sources isavailable; determining whether the new image satisfies one or morecriteria for downloading the new image; if the new image satisfies theone or more criteria, downloading the new image to the mobile device,downloading the new image to the mobile device including commencingreceiving a stream that includes the new image and other images afterreceiving input indicative of viewing images in a previously downloadedgroup of images, the input indicative of viewing images in thepreviously downloaded group of images indicating at least a percentageof the group of images has been viewed; and if the new image does notsatisfy the one or more criteria, refraining from downloading the newimage.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving an indication that anew image is available from one of the image sources comprises queryingthe service as to whether any new images are available.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein receiving an indication that a new image is availablefrom one of the image sources comprises receiving a message from theservice that indicates that the new image is available.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein determining whether the new image satisfies one or morecriteria for downloading the new image comprises determining whether thenew image was created within a specified time period.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein determining whether the new image satisfies one or morecriteria for downloading the new image comprises determining whether thenew image is associated with text of an indicated subject matter.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the input indicative of viewing images in thepreviously downloaded group of images indicates only a preset number ofthe group of images have not been viewed.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising automatically deleting the image from the mobiledevice according to a policy.
 8. A computer storage medium havingcomputer-executable instructions, which when executed perform actions,comprising: receiving configuration data that indicates a plurality ofimage sources from which to obtain images for a mobile device, the imagesources being external to the mobile device, at least two of the imagesources having different communication protocols for providing images,the mobile device configured to send new images created using the mobiledevice to at least one of the image sources; transmitting informationregarding the image sources to a service that is responsible forobtaining the images from the image sources and providing access to theobtained images to the mobile device; receiving an indication that a newimage from one of the image sources is available; determining whetherthe new image satisfies one or more criteria for downloading the newimage; if the new image satisfies the one or more criteria, downloadingthe new image to the mobile device, downloading the new image to themobile device including commencing receiving a stream that includes thenew image and other images after receiving input indicative of viewingimages in a previously downloaded group of images, the input indicativeof viewing images in the previously downloaded group of imagesindicating at least a percentage of the group of images has been viewed;and if the new image does not satisfy the one or more criteria,refraining from downloading the new image.
 9. The computer storagemedium of claim 8, wherein receiving an indication that a new image isavailable from one of the image sources comprises querying the serviceas to whether any new images are available.
 10. The computer storagemedium of claim 8, wherein receiving an indication that a new image isavailable from one of the image sources comprises receiving a messagefrom the service that indicates that the new image is available.
 11. Thecomputer storage medium of claim 8, wherein determining whether the newimage satisfies one or more criteria for downloading the new imagecomprises determining whether the new image was created within aspecified time period.
 12. The computer storage medium of claim 8,wherein determining whether the new image satisfies one or more criteriafor downloading the new image comprises determining whether the newimage is associated with text of an indicated subject matter.
 13. Thecomputer storage medium of claim 8, wherein the input indicative ofviewing images in the previously downloaded group of images indicatesonly a predetermined number of the group of images have not been viewed.14. The computer storage medium of claim 8, further comprisingautomatically deleting the image from the mobile device according to apolicy.
 15. A system comprising: at least one processor operable toprovide: a configuration data receiver configured to receiveconfiguration data that indicates a plurality of image sources fromwhich to obtain images for a mobile device, the image sources beingexternal to the mobile device, at least two of the image sources havingdifferent communication protocols for providing images, the mobiledevice configured to send new images created using the mobile device toat least one of the image sources; a transmitter configured to transmitinformation regarding the image sources to a service that is responsiblefor obtaining the images from the image sources and providing access tothe obtained images to the mobile device; an indication receiverconfigured to receive an indication that a new image from one of theimage sources is available; a determiner configured to determine whetherthe new image satisfies one or more criteria for downloading the newimage; and a downloading unit configured to, if the new image satisfiesthe one or more criteria, downloading the new image to the mobiledevice, download the new image to the mobile device including commencingreceiving a stream that includes the new image and other images afterreceiving input indicative of viewing images in a previously downloadedgroup of images, the input indicative of viewing images in thepreviously downloaded group of images indicating at least a percentageof the group of images has been viewed, the downloading unit beingfurther configured to, if the new image does not satisfy the one or morecriteria, refrain from downloading the new image.
 16. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the indication receiver is configured to query theservice as to whether any new images are available.
 17. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the indication receiver is configured to receive amessage from the service that indicates that the new image is available.18. The system of claim 15, wherein the determiner is configured todetermine whether the new image was created within a specified timeperiod.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the determiner is configuredto determine whether the new image is associated with text of anindicated subject matter.
 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the inputindicative of viewing images in the previously downloaded group ofimages indicates only a specific number of the group of images have notbeen viewed.